The LibViz Project

This event,The LibViz Project, organized by Michaela Ullmann (USC LIbraries, Special Collections), combines the power of serendipitous search, interactive technologies, and visual representation to create new ways to engage and to access rare, specialized, and three-dimensional cultural heritage materials.

It is a collaboration between faculty from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and the USC Libraries.

Kratky, Kuhn, Loughridge, Luftschein, and Ullmann will talk about their collaboration in developing a tool that allows users to explore the rare and unique items housed in Special Collections without the limitations of the physical space, but in a way that recreates the engagement patrons experience when touching and handling the actual object. Using the rich possibilities of touch screens and mobile devices, LibViz combines the power and speed of database search with the serendipitous browsing of the shelves in a physical library. Through a custom-designed interface, interaction technologies will provide for combinations of textual and visual information representation to create new ways to engage and access three-dimensional cultural heritage materials that are oftentimes restricted or limited in access. Panelists will present first examples of their work in development. They will discuss their journey on the way to a LibViz prototype, the benefits of their interdisciplinary collaboration, and challenges faced.

Please give us your feedback

We welcome your feedback on any of the events in this research guide, as well as any suggestions for topics of interest that you may have. Please email Danielle Mihram at dmihram@usc.edu with comments or questions.